Stories for April 2, 2009

Following on the heels of the animated "Monsters Vs. Aliens," "Alien Trespass" (opening April 3 at Landmark's Hillcrest Cinemas) covers somewhat similar ground. Both films present us with an alien who comes to earth and then the films try to use the trappings of 50s sci-fi movies to sell the premise. But unlike "Monsters Vs. Aliens," "Alien Trespass" is live action. It also comes from R. W. Goodwin who should know what he's doing since he worked on the cult TV show "The X-Files," which frequently dealt with aliens although usually in a more serious vein.

Binge drinking, fraternity hazings, sexual violence on campus. What in the world is going on with America's young men? Michael Kimmel's hypothesis is that the line between boys and men, child and adult is increasingly blurred by a generation of young men who act like adolescents afraid to pursue an adult life without the safety net of their "bros." This large group of young men are simply refusing to assume the responsibility of adulthood, preferring to remain in "guyland" well into their late 20s.

Are we alone in the universe, or are there other habitable planets in our galaxy? One of today's guests has been trying to answer that question for more than 20 years. We speak to astronomer Alan Boss, about his new book "The Crowded Universe: The Search for Living Planets."

Dr. Michael Shermer, historian of science, bestselling author and founder of the Skeptics Society and Skeptic Magazine, will discuss how evolution applies to economics, whether being a scientist means not believing in god, and whether science can prove (or disprove) the existence of God.

President Barack Obama has been on the job for less than three months, and the Republicans are already starting to look ahead to 2012. We speak to the former chairman of the Federal Election Commission about how the politicking for the Republican nomination in 2012 has already begun. Who are the early front-runners to be the Republican presidential nominee in 2012? What's happening in the Democratic party in preparation for 2012? What kind of impact does the seemingly constant campaign cycle have on the debates going on in Washington, D.C.?

Most films that deal with border issues focus on immigrants and immigration along the California or Texas state lines. But the new film "Sin Nombre" (opening April 3 at Landmark's Hillcrest Cinemas) shows us how people living deeper in Mexico and Central America get to that border. The film played last month at the San Diego Latino Film Festival and just about everyone I spoke to at the fest was recommending it. I spoke with first time feature filmmaker Cary Fukunaga at the festival just before he presented the film to a full house.

The Center for Biological Diversity says a federal agency is not responding fast enough to protect a sea bird that lives off San Diego's coast. The group says the ashy storm petrel is at risk from development and climate change. KPBS Environment Reporter Ed Joyce has details.

Traumatic injury is one of the leading causes of death. But most of us don't consider it a disease. A new research center at UC San Diego is based on the notion that it is a disease. And if we treat it like one, we'll save lives and make all people safer. KPBS Health Reporter Tom Fudge has more.